How to expand your mind while cleaning

For some people, cleaning the house is an enjoyable activity, largely because of the satisfaction you gain from seeing the end result. For others, however, it is a tedious chore to be put off for as long as possible.

If you belong to the latter group, one option is to use a cleaning company to do the job for you. Alternatively, consider how you could make your cleaning time much more productive by focusing on other things.

Here are three ways you can learn something new and expand your intellectual horizons while sprucing up your house.

Listen to lectures or podcasts

If you own an MP3 player or a smartphone, you have instant access to a world of eye-opening insights and information.

A quick search of YouTube will direct you to all sorts of fascinating lectures and talks on any subject you fancy exploring, from ancient history to outer space.

Listening to podcasts is another way of occupying your brain while giving your home a once-over. A show like Serial could prove so addictive that you actually look forward to your next cleaning session!

Learn a language

If you are really committed to doing something special with your time, look into the possibility of learning a language while vacuuming the floors or scrubbing the oven.

As daunting as this task may sound, you could be surprised by how quickly you learn if you are willing to dedicate some time to it.

Again, podcasts can be a hugely useful resource for introducing yourself to the basics of a new language, or you could sign up to an online service or buy CDs to get started.

Set yourself mental challenges

Setting mental challenges to overcome while you clean can be a fun and intellectually stimulating way to pass the time.

Before you start your cleaning sessions, look up some riddles or brainteasers to mull over while going about your chores, or set yourself the task of coming up with an idea for a short story